One of the joys of Kidpower’s 35-year anniversary is that we are hearing from adults who have grown up with our skills from a very young age.
Here is a story from the next generation of our Kidpower community, 21-year-old Colin Léger Meilleur who lives in Montreal:
“I have a really great group of friends who often get hurt feelings with each other because of a lack of communication. Making it so that they don’t want to hang out with each other.
When this happens, they come to me for help.
One of my friends asked me, “How do you handle these situations so well and confidently?
In the moment, I replied, “This is just the way I am.”
Then, when I thought about it later, I realized that a big part of the reason I am the way I am, is because I grew up with Kidpower! These communication and safety skills are so natural to me now, I don’t even realize I am using them every day.”
Our vision is that EVERY child will grow up with the skills they need to help their friends get along – to keep themselves safe – and to live joyful lives.
Your gift today will help us provide these essential life skills to children, teens, and adults in your community – and around the world!
Our generous leadership donors will match your gift – and all gifts up to $35,000 through December 31st.
Published: December 2, 2024 | Last Updated: December 2, 2024
Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director
Kidpower Founder and Executive Irene van der Zande is a master at teaching safety through stories and practices and at inspiring others to do the same. Her child protection and personal safety expertise has been featured by USA Today, CNN, Today Moms, the LA Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Publications include: cartoon-illustrated Kidpower Safety Comics and Kidpower Teaching Books curriculum; Bullying: What Adults Need to Know and Do to Keep Kids Safe; the Relationship Safety Skills Handbook for Teens and Adults; Earliest Teachable Moment: Personal Safety for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers; The Kidpower Book for Caring Adults: Personal Safety, Self-Protection, Confidence, and Advocacy for Young People, and the Amazon Best Seller Doing Right by Our Kids: Protecting Child Safety at All Levels.